CELEBRATE 503RD VISHWAVEER CHILARAI DIVAS
0N 25th FEBRUARY 2013(13 FALGUN 1419)

It is ironic that Chilaray, the great military commander who’s military strategy and tactics made it possible to unite whole of northeast with mainland India during the famous ten year Cooch Bihar king’s unification campaign between 1562 and 1572 A.D. is being forgotten and erased from the pages of history. Reasons for ignoring the great historical figure is obvious - political reasons and downplaying the once glorious Rajbanshi history. One of the greatest military commanders in the annals of history who was compared with Napoleon Bonaparte for his heroics, is not being given his due position in India. This is really sad part of today's politics. He was Rajbanshi no doubt but his contribution was no less than any other Indian leaders in the history. He deserves highly respectful place in history books of not only in West Bengal and Assam but in the history books of neighbouring States - Bihar, Meghalaya and countries - Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

His contributions attribute to all Indians and neighbouring countries. Not only Rajbanshis of Bengal, Assam and its adjoining districts of Bihar, Meghalaya and neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bangladesh, but, every citizen of our great nation, India should remember Chilaray, third son of Koch King Bishwa Singha (1496-1553 A.D.), the General of Koch-Kamta forces of elder brother king Nara Narayan. He was born on the auspicious day of 10th February 1510(26 Magh 910) to Padmabati, the queen hailing from a royal family of Gaur (in present day Maldah district in West Bengal) and was named as Shukladhwaja.

His heroic deeds as the military general made him popular as Sangram Singha. His brotherly assistance helped king Maharaja Nara Narayan (1553-1587AD) to extend the Kamta-Koch Empire from present day northern Bihar to the east up to border of Myanmar and down south, up to the river Ganga. As a head of Kamta-Koch forces he brought about noteworthy changes in the chain of command in their military establishment. He deployed and effectively commanded both land and naval forces maneuvering together side by side and achieving successes after success during the progress of unification wars against contemporary kingdoms in northeast India. Like a falcon, he used to launch lightening attacks on the enemy that earned him a heroic name - ‘Chilarai’, falcon - meaning chila  in Kamta-Rajbanshi language.
            He helped king Nara Narayan in rebuilding the greatest Hindu 'Shaktipeeth', Maa Kamakhya temple located on a hilltop in Guwahati, in the year 1565. The king always consulted Chilarai while taking decisions on both military and civil affairs of Koch Empire. Chilarai never took any undue advantage of defeated or surrendered adversaries and taught Koch forces to respect women and Brahmins. He advocated in favour of giving shelter Assamese saint, Shri Shri Sankar Deb in Cooch Behar, who was expelled by Ahom king from their kingdom(Assam). In 1576, the great soul breathed his last on the banks of river Ganga after serving the suffering people of Gaur, who were caught by an epidemic of small pox and Chilarai himself being attacked by the dreaded epidemic. One of the greatest warriors and military strategists of India that the world has ever seen, name of Chilarai should be remembered in the annals of Indian history with great honour.

            All Indians must join hands in paying homage to the great General on 25th February 2013 i.e. 13th Falgun, 1419 and celebrate the day with jest and zeal. The day should be observed with humility, devotion and unity.
(Reference:  "Koch Rajbanshi Kamtapuri - The Truth Unveiled" – written by self and published in 2008 by M/s Vicky Publishers, Saraswati Apartments, Chilarai Path, Bhangagarh, Guwahati-781005) 

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